Filtration system self cleaning mechanism

Abstract

A self-cleaning mechanism for a filtration system, being disclosed, comprising a filter element positioned in a filtration chamber and a suction scanner for cleaning the filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, wherein a linear motion of the suction scanner between an initial position and a final position is automatically regulated by a linear displacement regulator comprising (i) a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor; and (ii) a regulative-fluid compression element linearly comoving with the suction scanner for enforcing a regulative-fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment, to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor. Further being disclosed are a filtration system comprising said self-cleaning mechanism, and a method for regulating the linear displacement of a suction scanner of a self-cleaning filtration system by said linear displacement regulator.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A self-cleaning mechanism for a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a filter element positioned in a filtration chamber between a raw fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet, the self-cleaning mechanism comprising:
 a suction scanner for cleaning the filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, the suction scanner comprises: 
 (i) a central tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis and linearly movable along the longitudinal axis between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position; and 
 (ii) at least one suction nozzle extending between said central tube and a scannable plane of the filter element, wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to provide suction from the scannable plane on the filter element into the nozzle during the cleaning session; and 
 a linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear motion of the suction scanner between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined positions is automatically regulated during the cleaning session by the linear displacement regulator; wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises: 
 (i) a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor, the regulative flow-restrictor adapted to restrict a fluid flow through the regulative flow-restrictor during the cleaning session; and 
 (ii) a regulative-fluid compression element linearly comoving moving together with the suction scanner and causing a fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor. 
 
     
     
       2. The self-cleaning mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulative-fluid compartment is isolated from fluid filling the suction scanner, the regulative-fluid compartment accommodating a predetermined volume of regulative-fluid, wherein the regulative-fluid compartment has no liquid communication with the raw fluid inlet and with the filtered fluid outlet. 
     
     
       3. The self-cleaning mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulative flow-restrictor is linearly immovable with respect to the filtration chamber. 
     
     
       4. A self-cleaning mechanism for a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a filter element positioned in a filtration chamber between a raw fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet, the self-cleaning mechanism comprising:
 a suction scanner for cleaning the filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, the suction scanner comprises: 
 (i) a central tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis and linearly movable along the longitudinal axis between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position; and 
 (ii) at least one suction nozzle extending between said central tube and a scannable plane of the filter element, wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to provide suction from the scannable plane on the filter element into the nozzle during the cleaning session; and 
 a linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear motion of the suction scanner between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position is automatically regulated during the cleaning session by the linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises: 
 (i) a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor, the regulative flow-restrictor adapted to restrict a fluid flow through the regulative flow-restrictor during the cleaning session; and 
 (ii) a regulative-fluid compression element linearly moving together with the suction scanner and causing a fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor, wherein the linear displacement regulator is fully accommodated within an internal hollow of the suction scanner. 
 
     
     
       5. The self-cleaning mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein a linear movability of the regulative-fluid compression element is by a rigid connection between the regulative-fluid compression element and a body of the suction scanner. 
     
     
       6. A self-cleaning mechanism for a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a filter element positioned in a filtration chamber between a raw fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet, the self-cleaning mechanism comprising:
 a suction scanner for cleaning the filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, the suction scanner comprises:
 (i) a central tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis and linearly movable along the longitudinal axis between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position; and 
 (ii) at least one suction nozzle extending between said central tube and a scannable plane of the filter element, wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to provide suction from the scannable plane on the filter element into the nozzle during the cleaning session; and 
 
 a linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear motion of the suction scanner between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position is automatically regulated during the cleaning session by the linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises: 
 (i) a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor, the regulative flow-restrictor adapted to restrict a fluid flow through the regulative flow-restrictor during the cleaning session; and 
 (ii) a regulative-fluid compression element linearly moving together with the suction scanner and causing a fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor, wherein the regulative-fluid compression element is linearly displaceable by the suction scanner through a hydraulic connection between the suction scanner and the regulative-fluid compression element. 
 
     
     
       7. A self-cleaning mechanism for a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a filter element positioned in a filtration chamber between a raw fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet, the self-cleaning mechanism comprising:
 a suction scanner for cleaning the filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, the suction scanner comprises:
 (i) a central tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis and linearly movable along the longitudinal axis between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position; and 
 (ii) at least one suction nozzle extending between said central tube and a scannable plane of the filter element, wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to provide suction from the scannable plane on the filter element into the nozzle during the cleaning session; and 
 
 a linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear motion of the suction scanner between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position is automatically regulated during the cleaning session by the linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises: 
 (i) a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor, the regulative flow-restrictor adapted to restrict a fluid flow through the regulative flow-restrictor during the cleaning session; and 
 (ii) a regulative-fluid compression element linearly moving together with the suction scanner and causing a fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor, wherein the suction scanner is spring biased by a spiral spring accommodated within the regulative-fluid compartment. 
 
     
     
       8. The self-cleaning mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulative flow-restrictor is an orifice or an aperture-adjuster located in a regulative flow-restriction-barrier. 
     
     
       9. A self-cleaning mechanism for a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a filter element positioned in a filtration chamber between a raw fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet, the self-cleaning mechanism comprising:
 a suction scanner for cleaning the filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, the suction scanner comprises:
 (i) a central tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis and linearly movable along the longitudinal axis between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position; and 
 (ii) at least one suction nozzle extending between said central tube and a scannable plane of the filter element, wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to provide suction from the scannable plane on the filter element into the nozzle during the cleaning session; and 
 
 a linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear motion of the suction scanner between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position is automatically regulated during the cleaning session by the linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises: 
 (i) a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor, the regulative flow-restrictor adapted to restrict a fluid flow through the regulative flow-restrictor during the cleaning session; and 
 (ii) a regulative-fluid compression element linearly moving together with the suction scanner and causing a fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor, wherein the regulative flow-restrictor is formed in a tube extending through the longitudinal axis of a rotation of the central tube of the suction scanner. 
 
     
     
       10. A self-cleaning mechanism for a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a filter element positioned in a filtration chamber between a raw fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet, the self-cleaning mechanism comprising:
 a suction scanner for cleaning the filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, the suction scanner comprises:
 (i) a central tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis and linearly movable along the longitudinal axis between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position; and 
 (ii) at least one suction nozzle extending between said central tube and a scannable plane of the filter element, wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to provide suction from the scannable plane on the filter element into the nozzle during the cleaning session; and 
 
 a linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear motion of the suction scanner between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position is automatically regulated during the cleaning session by the linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises: 
 (i) a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor, the regulative flow-restrictor adapted to restrict a fluid flow through the regulative flow-restrictor during the cleaning session; and 
 (ii) a regulative-fluid compression element linearly moving together with the suction scanner and causing a fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor, wherein the regulative flow restrictor comprises a regulative flow-path extending through a thread. 
 
     
     
       11. A self-cleaning mechanism for a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a filter element positioned in a filtration chamber between a raw fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet, the self-cleaning mechanism comprising:
 a suction scanner for cleaning the filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, the suction scanner comprises: 
 (i) a central tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis and linearly movable along the longitudinal axis between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position; and 
 (ii) at least one suction nozzle extending between said central tube and a scannable plane of the filter element, wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to provide suction from the scannable plane on the filter element into the nozzle during the cleaning session; and 
 a linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear motion of the suction scanner between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position is automatically regulated during the cleaning session by the linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises: 
 (i) a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor, the regulative flow-restrictor adapted to restrict a fluid flow through the regulative flow-restrictor during the cleaning session; and 
 (ii) a regulative-fluid compression element linearly moving together with the suction scanner and causing a fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor, wherein the regulative flow-restrictor comprises a regulative flow-path extending through in a flow-maze form. 
 
     
     
       12. The self-cleaning mechanism according to  claim 11 , wherein the flow-maze form is formed in a labyrinth assembly comprising a stack of mazed discs. 
     
     
       13. A self-cleaning mechanism for a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a filter element positioned in a filtration chamber between a raw fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet, the self-cleaning mechanism comprising:
 a suction scanner for cleaning the filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, the suction scanner comprises: 
 (i) a central tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis and linearly movable along the longitudinal axis between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position; and 
 (ii) at least one suction nozzle extending between said central tube and a scannable plane of the filter element, wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to provide suction from the scannable plane on the filter element into the nozzle during the cleaning session; and 
 a linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear motion of the suction scanner between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position is automatically regulated during the cleaning session by the linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises: 
 (i) a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor, the regulative flow-restrictor adapted to restrict a fluid flow through the regulative flow-restrictor during the cleaning session; and 
 (ii) a regulative-fluid compression element linearly moving together with the suction scanner and causing a fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor, 
 wherein the suction scanner and the regulative-fluid compression element are linked through a non-linear connection comprising an actuation-tube. 
 
     
     
       14. The self-cleaning mechanism according to  claim 13 , wherein the actuation-tube is filled with an actuating-media. 
     
     
       15. A self-cleaning mechanism for a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a filter element positioned in a filtration chamber between a raw fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet, the self-cleaning mechanism comprising:
 a suction scanner for cleaning the filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, the suction scanner comprises: 
 (i) a central tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis and linearly movable along the longitudinal axis between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position; and 
 (ii) at least one suction nozzle extending between said central tube and a scannable plane of the filter element, wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to provide suction from the scannable plane on the filter element into the nozzle during the cleaning session; and 
 a linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear motion of the suction scanner between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position is automatically regulated during the cleaning session by the linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises: 
 (i) a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor, the regulative flow-restrictor adapted to restrict a fluid flow through the regulative flow-restrictor during the cleaning session; and 
 (ii) a regulative-fluid compression element linearly moving together with the suction scanner and causing a fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor, 
 wherein the suction scanner and the regulative-fluid compression element are linked through a non-linear connection comprising a flexible actuation cable or a flexible rod. 
 
     
     
       16. A self-cleaning mechanism for a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a filter element positioned in a filtration chamber between a raw fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet, the self-cleaning mechanism comprising: a suction scanner for cleaning the filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, the suction scanner comprises:
 (i) a central tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis and linearly movable along the longitudinal axis between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position; and 
 (ii) at least one suction nozzle extending between said central tube and a scannable plane of the filter element, wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to provide suction from the scannable plane on the filter element into the nozzle during the cleaning session; and 
 a linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear motion of the suction scanner between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position is automatically regulated during the cleaning session by the linear displacement regulator, wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises: 
 (i) a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor, the regulative flow-restrictor adapted to restrict a fluid flow through the regulative flow-restrictor during the cleaning session; and 
 (ii) a regulative-fluid compression element linearly moving together with the suction scanner and causing a fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor, 
 wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises a cylinder and a piston located outside the filtration chamber, and the piston is hydraulically linked to the suction scanner through the regulative flow-restrictor. 
 
     
     
       17. The self-cleaning mechanism according to  claim 16 , wherein the piston comprises a stem protruding from the cylinder outwardly and linearly comoving with the suction scanner, thus providing a visual indication of a current stage of linear displacement of the suction scanner. 
     
     
       18. A method for regulating a linear displacement of a suction scanner of a self-cleaning filtration system, the method comprising:
 providing a regulative flow restrictor amidst a body of a regulative-fluid, whereby regulative-fluid from opposite sides of the regulative flow restrictor is communicable only through a regulative flow-path extending across the regulative flow-restrictor; 
 associating a linear displaceable body of the suction scanner with a regulative-fluid compression element linearly comoving moving together with the linear displaceable body of the suction scanner; and 
 causing regulative-fluid of said body of the regulative-fluid to flow through the regulative flow restrictor in a first direction when the suction scanner is linearly displaced from an initial position to a second position, and causing regulative-fluid of said body of the regulative-fluid to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor in a second direction when the suction scanner returns from the second position to the initial position, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein said providing the regulative flow restrictor comprises selecting the regulative flow restrictor from at least one of: an orifice, an adjustable-aperture, a spiral-pipe, a thread, a double-thread, a fluid-maze structure, or a labyrinth. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein said associating comprises the provision of at least one of: a hydraulic connection, a rigid mechanical connection, spheres in a tube connection, grease in a tube connection, a flexible-rod connection, or an actuation-cable connection, between the linear displaceable body of the suction scanner and the regulative-fluid compression element. 
     
     
       21. A filtration system comprising:
 a raw fluid inlet, 
 a filtered fluid outlet, 
 a filtration chamber, 
 a filter element positioned in said filtration chamber between said raw fluid inlet and said filtered fluid outlet, and 
 a suction scanner for cleaning said filter element upon activation of a cleaning session, wherein the suction scanner is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and is linearly movable along the longitudinal axis between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined positions; and 
 a linear displacement regulator that is configured to automatically regulate a linear motion of said suction scanner between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position during the cleaning session, wherein the linear displacement regulator comprises:
 a regulative-fluid compartment in liquid communication with a regulative flow-restrictor, the regulative flow-restrictor adapted to restrict a fluid flow of regulative-fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment through the regulative flow-restrictor during the cleaning session; and 
 a regulative-fluid compression element linearly comoving moving together with the suction scanner and configured to cause the regulative-fluid filled in the regulative-fluid compartment to flow through the regulative flow-restrictor.